NHES NEWS

On behalf our entire faculty and staff, we hope everyone enjoyed the holidays. We are looking forward to welcoming our students back this Wednesday following a Faculty & Staff Work Day on Tuesday. Remember, our doors open at 7:05 and the tardy bell rings at 7:30. Dismissal is at 2:30. Thank you to those that continue to help our buses by accessing our car-rider line using Oak Grove Road.

This Week

• January 3 - First Day Back for Students!
  
• January 4 - Report Cards Go Home

Dates for the Remainder of the School Year

• January 15 - MLK Day (Schools Closed)
  
• February 19 - Presidents Day (Schools Closed)
  
• February 28 - E-Learning/Collaboration Day (Students at Home)
• March 11-15 - Spring Break (Schools Closed)
• April 8 - E-Learning/Collaboration Day (Students at Home)
• May 21-22 - Graduation Ceremonies
• May 22 - Last Student Day
• May 23 - Teacher Work Day

As we prepare for the start of the new semester, I continue to feel grateful for our school and our community. Over the break, the state released report card scores for all Alabama schools. This year, our overall score was an 89. Although we will certainly continue to strive for a higher score, it's worth noting that when compared with similar schools, we continue to outperform them.

Many people do not realize that almost 25% of our students receive support for a disability and just under 60% of our students come from homes that the state refers to as "economically disadvantaged." As someone who grew up in poverty and has family members that benefitted from special education services, I refuse to let these labels define our students and/or their ability to achieve great things. Our teachers feel the same way, which is why we received a 100 for academic growth on the state report card.

The state uses ACAP scores to determine academic growth and academic proficiency. Another 15% percent of our overall grade comes from attendance. This past year, we lost just over one full percentage point for students that missed more than 15 days of school. This is unfortunate because some of these students couldn't help missing school due to illnesses that exceeded 15 days.

The last thing I want to say about the state report card is what "proficiency" really means. In this news article, our State Superintendent of Education, was quoted as telling the State Board of Education that proficiency is "above grade level" or "high performing." He added that “When we think about proficiency, those would be students you’d expect to make A’s, or A’s and B’s.” What does this mean for parents and teachers? It means that scoring a Level 3 on the ACAP requires a high level of rigor. Keep this in mind as you talk to your child about his or her report card. Our teachers are tasked to assign grades that align with extremely challenging state standards. It doesn't mean your child can't rise to these expectations, but your child may have to work extra hard.

Not only did the state release report cards, MCSS is sending home report cards this Thursday. For some parents, talking with your child about his or her report card can be stressful. Here are six tips that were borrowed from this website:

1. Read the report card together with your child - Find the right time to read the report card with your child. It’s best to do it during quiet time and in a place free of distractions and disruptions. When reviewing their report card, try not to focus solely on their grades and negatives. There will be something positive, no matter what grades appear on the report card.
2. Praise your child’s efforts and progress feedback - It’s also important to set a positive tone. Praise your child’s efforts and highlight their achievements to reinforce positive behavior. As a parent, you need to show that you acknowledge any progress they have made. Don’t focus on the outcome; let them know that you appreciate and respect their hard work.
3. Remain supportive and positive, no matter what - Regardless of their grades, always remain supportive and positive. Listen without judging them, and aim to understand their worries and concerns instead of punishing them for poor grades. Acknowledge their problems and provide tips that will help improve their attitude toward school and achieve better grades.
4. Ask their opinion to get the conversation going - To get the conversation going, try asking open-ended questions. When going through report cards, try asking them for their opinion about their grades or school in general. You can also use this opportunity to ask them about their next goals for the next reporting period and how they plan to achieve them.
5. Ask questions that invite thoughts, opinions and long-winded answers - Ask questions that invite thoughts and opinions. Engaging in such topics will show them that you’re interested in everything they do. It will help encourage them to share more about their school, like the factors that influence their grades and motivations that will drive them to improve.
6. Make a plan for improvement - When talking to your child about report cards, make sure to shed light on the positive content first. If they receive unsatisfactory grades, it’s important that you also bring those up with them. Ask them why they’re having trouble and together, plan the most effective ways to improve their grades for the next reporting period.

New Hope Spirit Wear

Consider checking out our New Hope Spirit Wear Store. This is your one shop stop for school-related spirit wear. Great gifts for students, staff, and family members that are proud of our school and community.

Email for Transportation Notes

If you need to make the school aware of a transportation change, in addition to turning in a note to the teacher, please email our front office at NHESoffice@madison.k12.al.us. This new email will help us track and monitor transportation changes more effectively.

Updated Code of Conduct & Discipline

Our district has created a Back to School Dashboard with a number of useful links. Along with the MCSS Calendar, you'll also find a Parent & Student Handbook as well as a Student Code of Conduct.

Bus Information

Each bus has an animal magnet to help our younger students remember which bus they ride.

• 14-80 Mike Carpenter - LION
• 24-125 Johnna Mann - BIRD
• 22-09 Julia Stapler - BEAR
• 18-09 Bobby Cheyne - PUPPY
• 21-09 Misty Quick - COW
• 11-67 Donnie Meeks - TIGER
• 19-15 Edwin Childers - CHICKEN
• 24-134 Vicki Tolliver - HORSE
• 20-12 Lorrell Vann - BUTTERFLY (no PM route)

In addition to the buses identified above, several OCR bus drivers help transport our fifth and sixth grade students that live in the Owens Cross Roads community.

New Hope PTO continues to do great things for our students and school. Please join the PTO and sign up for their newsletter if you haven't already done so.

New Hope Recreation Center continues to be one of our closest community partners. Please check their Facebook page often for the latest news.

New Hope Children's Clinic is located on our school campus across from the Rock Gym. To make an appointment call 256-723-4673.

The CARE Center is one of the reasons our school is so special. Families can apply for their child or children to receive Bags of Blessings (weekend food support) and/or participate in our 21st Century Learning Center Clubs Program. For information on one or both of these programs:

• Visit www.thecare-center.org
• Call the Business Office at 256.723.2273
• Contact Molly Mullinax (molly.mullinax@thecare-center.org)

Email: jburton@mcssk12.org
Website: https://www.mcssk12.org/newhopeelementaryschool
Location: 5300 Main Drive, New Hope, AL, USA
Phone: 256-851-3260
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newhopeelementaryschool
Twitter: @NHESPK6